Hardeep Puri Among Two Union Ministers Dropped from BJP’s UP List for Rajya Sabha Polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced eight candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh, leaving out Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and B L Verma, whose terms in the Upper House are scheduled to end next month.

The Rajya Sabha elections for Uttar Pradesh are scheduled for October 16, 2026, with the BJP's candidate selection attracting attention because of the political and social equations involved in the State.

Hardeep Singh Puri, who currently serves as the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, has not been included in the BJP's list of eight candidates. Union Minister of State B L Verma, who handles Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution as well as Social Justice and Empowerment, has also been left out.

Both leaders' current terms in the Rajya Sabha are scheduled to end on November 25. Their exclusion from the BJP's latest list means they will not be returning to the Upper House through this particular round of elections.

However, their exclusion from the Rajya Sabha does not automatically mean that they have to leave the Union Council of Ministers. Under constitutional provisions, a person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can continue as a Union Minister for up to six months, subject to the applicable constitutional requirements.

The BJP's decision is being viewed in the context of the party's effort to balance caste and regional equations while finalising its candidates for the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha polls.

Uttar Pradesh has a significant role in the BJP's national political strategy because of its large representation in Parliament and its importance in the country's electoral politics. Candidate selection for the Rajya Sabha therefore carries significance beyond the immediate Upper House contest.

The BJP's eight-member list reflects the party's attempt to manage different political, social and regional considerations in the State. The selection process is also being closely watched ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, when the BJP will seek to retain power in the State.

The decision not to renominate Puri and Verma has consequently drawn attention, particularly because both are serving members of the Union Council of Ministers.

The Rajya Sabha contest in Uttar Pradesh will also be important for the broader balance of political strength in the Upper House. The final outcome will depend on the strength of different parties in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and the voting process for the Rajya Sabha seats.

For the BJP, the candidate list represents an important political calculation as the party prepares for the next major electoral battle in Uttar Pradesh.

Expert View

The BJP's decision to leave out two serving Union ministers from its Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha list highlights the importance of caste and regional representation in the party's political calculations. With the 2027 Assembly election approaching, the candidate selection is also likely to be viewed through the broader lens of the BJP's electoral strategy in the State.